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The Official CONCACAF WebsiteFri, 09 Dec 2016 16:20:43 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1Extraordinary Congress to be held Saturday in Miamihttp://www.concacaf.com/article/extraordinary-congress-to-be-held-saturday-in-miami
http://www.concacaf.com/article/extraordinary-congress-to-be-held-saturday-in-miami#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 15:58:19 +0000/?post_type=article&p=120050CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani will preside Saturday over the XXIII CONCACAF Extraordinary Congress, alongside members of the CONCACAF Council and General Secretary Philippe Moggio.]]>

MIAMI – CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President Victor Montagliani will preside Saturday over the XXIII CONCACAF Extraordinary Congress, alongside members of the CONCACAF Council and General Secretary Philippe Moggio.

The Congress, which has been convened to approve the Confederation’s 2015 audited financial statements, will be held at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel in Miami with the participation of CONCACAF’s Member Associations.

On Friday, a series of workshops – designed to support the efforts of Member Associations — will be conducted to share best practices and develop capabilities across a range of functional and administrative areas.

Steven Mandis, author of The Real Madrid Way: How Values Created the Most Successful Sports Team on the Planet, will be the featured guest speaker.

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/extraordinary-congress-to-be-held-saturday-in-miami/feed0Tigres targets table turn against Club Americahttp://www.concacaf.com/article/tigres-targets-table-turn-against-club-america
http://www.concacaf.com/article/tigres-targets-table-turn-against-club-america#commentsFri, 09 Dec 2016 14:58:22 +0000/?post_type=article&p=120048Tigres is hoping that the third time will be the charm when it meets Club America in the 2016 Liga MX final.]]>

ZUAZUA, Mexico – Tigres is hoping that the third time will be the charm when it meets Club America in the 2016 Liga MX final.

The sides have met in two deciders over the last two years – the 2014 Liga MX Apertura and the 2015/16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League – and Club America came out on top both times.

UANL winger Damian Alvarez is eager to reverse that trend.

“We have played two finals with America in the last two seasons and we have lost them,” the 37-year-old said. “It’s time to stop that. We want to win it. We finish out at home and I feel that we have a very good chance, more so for what has happened previously. It has to be special for us.”

At the same time, Alvarez was quick to stress that motivation won’t be derived solely by avenging past setbacks. Rather, he prefers that Tigres relies on its own strengths and merits.

“It is not about revenge toward America,” remarked Alvarez, who has won three Mexican league titles. “It’s a special moment for us because it’s good. Decembers are there for us. We should try to be champions.”

Due to a scheduling quirk, the first leg will not be played until December 22, after Club America’s commitments at the FIFA Club World Cup is Japan have been completed.

Alvarez noted that it just as easily been could have been Tigres in Japan competing for the opportunity to meet European champion Real Madrid in the semifinals.

“We have to think that we could have been in that situation of going to play with good teams, taking on Real Madrid in the semifinal and later the league,” he finished. “I don’t think it is an excuse for America and I would’ve liked to do it as well.”

In their only Apertura meeting, Tigres topped visiting Club America, 3-0, on July 30, as Javier Aquino, Andre-Pierre Gignac and Ismael Sosa netted the goals.

Midfielder Elvis Figueroa (white jersey) was one of nine Real Esteli players called up for a Nicaragua training camp scheduled to start on December 12, 2016. (Photo: Mexsport)

MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Nicaragua head coach Henry Duarte extended Wednesday invitations to 25 players for a pre-Copa Centroamericana training camp to be held December 12-22, 2016, in Esteli.

The side features nine members of Nicaraguan champion Real Esteli, which competed in its sixth Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League earlier this year. Among those is midfielder Elvis Figueroa, who scored in a 1-1 draw with visiting FC Dallas on August 24.

A friendly against Costa Rica club Municipal Liberia has been scheduled for December 18, while another encounter is expected to be announced shortly.

The Copa Centroamericana – Central America’s championship for national teams and CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifying tournament — will be played January 13-22, 2016, in Panama. Nicaragua was drawn into Group A along with Honduras (January 13), Panama (Jan. 15) and Belize (Jan. 17).

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/nicaragua-names-training-camp-roster/feed0U.S. U20 side named for Costa Rica camp, friendlieshttp://www.concacaf.com/article/u-s-u20-side-named-for-costa-rica-camp-friendlies
http://www.concacaf.com/article/u-s-u20-side-named-for-costa-rica-camp-friendlies#commentsThu, 08 Dec 2016 21:25:25 +0000/?post_type=article&p=120035United States under-20 national team head coach Tab Ramos named Thursday a 20-player squad for a training camp set to take place from December 13-20, in San Jose, Costa Rica.]]>

New York Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams (pictured) was called up to the USA U20 team for an upcoming camp and friendlies in Costa Rica. (Photo: Mexsport)

CHICAGO – United States under-20 national team head coach Tab Ramos named Thursday a 20-player squad for a training camp set to take place from December 13-20, in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The Americans will also contest two friendlies against their Costa Rican counterparts on December 17 and 19. Both sides will use the games as preparation for the 2017 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, which will be played in Costa Rica, February 17-March 5, 2017.

“This will be a great opportunity for our players to get acclimated to Costa Rica and get a sense of what they can expect in February.” Ramos said. “The chance to play Costa Rica twice will be a good test for our guys to see where they stand against the host nation, who is playing at a very high level.”

The roster is highlighted by the inclusion of 17-year-old midfielder Tyler Adams, who appeared in three of the New York Red Bulls’ four matches during the 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League group stage.

Also meriting selection are goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann, the son former U.S. national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, and forward Brandon Vazquez, a recent Atlanta United addition from Mexico’s Club Tijuana.

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/u-s-u20-side-named-for-costa-rica-camp-friendlies/feed0Ramos targets first-ever U-20 title for USAhttp://www.concacaf.com/article/ramos-targets-first-ever-u-20-title-for-usa
http://www.concacaf.com/article/ramos-targets-first-ever-u-20-title-for-usa#commentsThu, 08 Dec 2016 20:14:19 +0000/?post_type=article&p=120023It’s hard to believe, but the United States has never won the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in 22 all-time attempts.]]>

Tab Ramos (pictured) led the USA to the 2013 and 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cups. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – It’s hard to believe, but the United States has never won the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in 22 all-time attempts.

That’s not to say it hasn’t come close. A pair of runner-up finishes in the last four editions stand as evidence, though, that a breakthrough is nearing.

With the next competition scheduled to be played February 17-March 3, 2017, in Costa Rica, head coach Tab Ramos is not only setting his sights on qualifying for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, he’s aiming to bring home a trophy.

“I don’t think we need to do anything different,” said Ramos, when asked what the U.S. can do to capture the crown. “Unfortunately, we always have the challenge of not having players released for the tournament, so we don’t come with our strongest team. We don’t take that as an excuse. We’re coming here to win every game. That’s what we’re here for and hopefully this year we can do it.”

Under the rules of new tournament format, in order to become king of the CONCACAF U-20 hill, the Americans must finish among the top two teams in their first-round group that contains Group B rivals Panama, Haiti and St. Kitts & Nevis. If that happens, they will progress to one of two, three-team groups and have to capture first place to earn a place in the final.

“You go from a group of four to a group of three,” Ramos, 50, remarked about the new format. “I think it makes you have to be a little more consistent throughout the tournament. All the games become important, just not the first couple and the last couple.

“In terms of advancing to the second round, hopefully we’re one of the teams that’s able to do that.”

The former U.S. national team star is not expecting an easy ride in Costa Rica.

“In terms of our draw, we know that Panama was an excellent team the last time around,” finished Ramos. “In terms of Haiti being the other team in the group, I they’re always difficult because they are random. They have a lot of good players. They can attack in a lot of different ways. St. Kitts is the up and comer. They’ve been doing a good job with their development and they’re deserving to be here, so I think it would be difficult.”

And would make a title even more satisfying.

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/ramos-targets-first-ever-u-20-title-for-usa/feed0Grant eyes Jamaica recall in 2017http://www.concacaf.com/article/grant-eyes-jamaica-recall-in-2017
http://www.concacaf.com/article/grant-eyes-jamaica-recall-in-2017#commentsThu, 08 Dec 2016 19:49:37 +0000/?post_type=article&p=120018Nearly 10 years after making his first appearance for Jamaica at the under-20 level, Joel Grant remains as passionate as ever about representing the Caribbean nation.]]>

EXETER, England — Nearly 10 years after making his first appearance for Jamaica at the under-20 level, Joel Grant remains as passionate as ever about representing the Caribbean nation.

Since the June’s Copa America Centenario, though, he has not featured for the Reggae Boyz.

The Exeter City midfielder wants that to change and has placed a return to the national team as a top priority for next year.. “We have qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup once again and my main target for 2017 is to get back into the national team and get playing time,” Grant told CONCACAF.com. “I am always ready to represent my country and I always ensure I am committed to do my best. I have had some wonderful memories so far in my international career and I am working on many more.”

Some of those memories include scoring the second goal as Jamaica earned a 2-1 win at South American champion Chile in an international friendly in May. He was also a member of the Jamaica squad that won the 2014 Caribbean Cup on home soil. London-born Grant counts that crown as his best moment in a Jamaica shirt.

“Winning the Caribbean Cup in 2014 was a great feeling that is hard to describe,” said the 29-year-old. “To win as hosts and beat our rivals (Trinidad & Tobago) in the final was truly special. It is something I will always treasure. It is my first and only international title and I would like to help us defend that title in 2017 whether we play Curacao, Martinique or French Guiana.”

Grant, who made his senior debut in 2014, believes 2017 could be the year Jamaica brings home two titles.

“The Gold Cup in 2015 was also a memorable experience,” he finished, citing the Reggae Boyz’s run to the Confederation final. “I want us to go one step further and win that tournament. For me, that is progress, so winning the Caribbean Cup and the Gold Cup would be a successful 2017. We have the caliber of players and I will working hard so I can be involved.”

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/grant-eyes-jamaica-recall-in-2017/feed0Bascome to remain as Bermuda head coachhttp://www.concacaf.com/article/bascome-to-remain-as-bermuda-head-coach
http://www.concacaf.com/article/bascome-to-remain-as-bermuda-head-coach#commentsThu, 08 Dec 2016 17:38:10 +0000/?post_type=article&p=120012Bermuda Football Association President Mark Wade confirmed Wednesday that Andrew Bascome will continue as men’s national team head coach...]]>

DEVONSHIRE, Bermuda — Bermuda Football Association President Mark Wade confirmed Wednesday that Andrew Bascome will continue as men’s national team head coach and will be on the bench for a January 22, 2017, international friendly against visiting Canada.

Bascome initially indicated he would step down after Bermuda fell 3-0 to host French Guiana on June 19, 2016, eliminating it from the 2016/17 Scotiabank CFU Men’s Caribbean Cup. Conversations with Wade and BFA technical director Maurice Lowe appeared to have helped persuade him to change course.

“Maurice and I had some conversations with Andrew and those discussions were obviously productive and Andrew has decided he will continue,” said Wade. “I’ve always been an admirer of Andrew, both as a player and a coach, and I think he brings the right approach to what we’re trying to accomplish. Moving forward now, hopefully, we can build on the successes that we did have and get ourselves geared and ready for 2018 when we should be playing in the Caribbean Cup qualifiers cycle again.”

Bascome has been in charge of Bermuda since 2012, posting a 5W-3D-7L record. In 2013, he guided the Bermudians to the Island Games title, where they didn’t concede a goal while posting a 4-0-0 mark, including 1-0 win over Greenland in the final.

“I have had four wonderful years with Bermuda and I look forward to many more,” Bascome said. “What we need to improve is more matches. Once we can get that, I am sure Bermudan football shall rise and more opportunities will come in our way.”

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/bascome-to-remain-as-bermuda-head-coach/feed0Morace named T&T women’s head coachhttp://www.concacaf.com/article/morace-named-tt-womens-head-coach
http://www.concacaf.com/article/morace-named-tt-womens-head-coach#commentsThu, 08 Dec 2016 03:00:04 +0000/?post_type=article&p=120008The Trinidad & Tobago Football Association announced Wednesday the appointment of Carolina Morace as head coach women’s national team and director of women’s football.]]>

Carolina Morace (pictured) was named head coach of Trinidad & Tobago women’s national team on December 7, 2016. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago — The Trinidad & Tobago Football Association announced Wednesday the appointment of Carolina Morace as head coach women’s national team and director of women’s football.

Morace, who signed a two-and-a-half-year contract, has achieved high levels of success as a player and as a manager.

The 52-year-old has spent most of the last three years in Australia, working with the National Premier League’s Floreat Athena men’s program as technical director and director of coaching, as well as Pro Soccer Coaching, a company that specializes in player development.

From 2009-11, Morace served as head coach of Canada women’s national team, leading it to the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Championship title and a place in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup. She also led the Canada under-20 women’s national team.

Additionally, Morace held the managerial reins of the Italy women’s senior squad and under-19 side from 2000-05.

In 1999, she became the first woman to coach a men’s professional team – Italy’s AS Viterbase.

On the field, Morace competed for Italy from 1978-97, scoring 105 goals in 153 appearances. She was the first player to net a hat-trick in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match, helping the Italians beat Chinese Taipei, 5-0, on November 17, 1991.

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/morace-named-tt-womens-head-coach/feed0T&T tabs Saintfiet as head coachhttp://www.concacaf.com/article/tt-tabs-saintfiet-as-head-coach
http://www.concacaf.com/article/tt-tabs-saintfiet-as-head-coach#commentsWed, 07 Dec 2016 21:53:32 +0000/?post_type=article&p=119996The Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) announced Wednesday the appointment of Tom Saintfiet as head coach of the men’s national team, replacing Stephen Hart who left the position on November 24.]]>

Tom Saintfiet (pictured) was named head coach of Trinidad & Tobago on December 7, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Trinidad & Tobago Football Association)

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad & Tobago — The Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) announced Wednesday the appointment of Tom Saintfiet as head coach of the men’s national team, replacing Stephen Hart who left the position on November 24.

Saintfiet, a 43-year-old Belgian, has held numerous managerial positions across the globe, including a club stop with RoPS became the youngest manager (head coach) in Belgian Football at the age of 24. He is the former head coach of Finnish top-flight side RoPS Rovaniemi (2008) and held national-team posts with Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Yemen, Malawi, Togo and, most recently, Bangladesh. He was also a former technical director of the Nigerian Football Association.

In 2004, Saintfiet guided Qatar to third place in the AFC Asian U-17 Championship and a place in the 2005 FIFA Under 17 World Cup.

Saintfiet’s first order of business will be to navigate T&T through a three-team Caribbean playoff next month for the right to face Central America’s fifth-place side for a berth in the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

He will also be tasked with getting the Soca Warriors back to winning ways in CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. T&T currently sits fifth in the six-team CONCACAF Hexagonal with an 0W-0D-2L record, leading the last-place United States only on goal difference (-4 to -5).

The TTFA also inked former Guyana head coach Jamaal Shabazz to a three-year contract as coordinator of technical programs.

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/tt-tabs-saintfiet-as-head-coach/feed0Costa Rica to host U.S. in pair of U-20 friendlieshttp://www.concacaf.com/article/costa-rica-to-host-u-s-in-pair-of-u-20-friendlies
http://www.concacaf.com/article/costa-rica-to-host-u-s-in-pair-of-u-20-friendlies#commentsWed, 07 Dec 2016 21:25:53 +0000/?post_type=article&p=119991The Costa Rica under-20 national team will complete its 2016 activities with a pair of friendlies against its counterpart from the United States.]]>

Action from the under-20 international friendly between host Costa Rica and Canada (white jersey) on September 3, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Federación Costarricense de Fútbol)

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – The Costa Rica under-20 national team will complete its 2016 activities with a pair of friendlies against its counterpart from the United States.

The sides will meet on December 17 and 19, with the Complejo Deportivo Fedefútbol-Plycem being the site for the first encounter, while the second venue remains to be determined.

Both selections are preparing for the next CONCACAF Under-20 Championship, which Costa Rica will host February 17-March 3, 2017.

“The United States is a good team of high level, which we could come across in an eventual second-round game, so it will be good to see how we are against them and thus get to know them,” said Costa Rica head coach Marcelo Herrera.

After the matches, Costa Rica will train until December 21 and then take a break until January 2.

For the CONCACAF event, the Costa Ricans were seeded into Group C, and will face El Salvador, Bermuda and Trinidad & Tobago. The U.S., Panama, St. Kitts & Nevis and Haiti make up Group B.

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/costa-rica-to-host-u-s-in-pair-of-u-20-friendlies/feed0Tigres uses Liga MX playoff break to heal injurieshttp://www.concacaf.com/article/tigres-uses-liga-mx-playoff-break-to-heal-injuries
http://www.concacaf.com/article/tigres-uses-liga-mx-playoff-break-to-heal-injuries#commentsWed, 07 Dec 2016 21:15:47 +0000/?post_type=article&p=119987Tigres may have earned a place in the 2016 Liga MX Apertura final on Saturday, but it will have to wait until December 22 for the two-legged series to start.]]>

Alberto Acosta (pictured) appeared in six regular-season games for Tigres during the 2016 Liga MX Apertura. (Photo: Tomas Palacio/Straffon Images)

SAN NICOLAS DE LOS GARZA, Mexico – Tigres may have earned a place in the 2016 Liga MX Apertura final on Saturday, but it will have to wait until December 22 for the two-legged series to start.

The reason for the delay, however, is an understandable one. UANL’s opponent, Club America, is in Japan for the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup; an obligation that could keep the Aguilas abroad until December 18, the date of the championship match.

As a result, Tigres hopes that the 17-day break will give some of those with knocks time to recover. Midfielders Alberto Acosta (leg) and Manuel Viniegra (ankle), as well as forward Luis Quiñones (thigh), especially, have been nursing injuries for various periods of time.

While Acosta and Viniegra seem the closest to returning, Quiñones remains questionable.

“It’s a very competitive team, it’s very deep,” said the 33-year-old, who has made four appearances during the current playoffs. “It has very good players. Even if they come on for just a little bit, they try to do the best and are always available for the club.”

Tigres has won three straight post-season games, conceding only one goal over that stretch.

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/tigres-uses-liga-mx-playoff-break-to-heal-injuries/feed0Canada to visit Bermuda for January friendlyhttp://www.concacaf.com/article/canada-to-visit-bermuda-for-january-friendly
http://www.concacaf.com/article/canada-to-visit-bermuda-for-january-friendly#commentsWed, 07 Dec 2016 15:12:02 +0000/?post_type=article&p=119983Canada will square off against host Bermuda in an international friendly on January 22, 2017, Canada Soccer announced Tuesday.]]>

Canada (pictured) convenes for a team photo prior to its last match at Korea Republic on November 11, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Canada Soccer)

OTTAWA — Canada will square off against host Bermuda in an international friendly on January 22, 2017, Canada Soccer announced Tuesday.

The match, which will be played at the Bermuda National Sports Centre in Devonshire, will kick-off Canada’s 2017 season and complete a camp that is slated to start on January 10 in the United States.

“The international match will come at the back end of our extended January camp,” said Canada interim head coach Michael Findlay. “We wanted to arrange a game that was close in vicinity and also gave us a good step from which to the start of the season.”

The January camp will start with a larger pool of players, featuring mostly North American-based players, before a roster for the Bermuda encounter is determined. A list of invited players will be announced in the first week of January.

“We want to give our players a leg up in their preparation for the new season, but also give us the opportunity to assess and evaluate a larger group of players,” Findlay commented. “There will also be an internal competition within the group as only 18 players will be selected for the travel to Bermuda.”

The match will mark the ninth meeting between Canada and Bermuda dating back to 1968. Canada leads the series with an unbeaten 4W-4D-0L mark, including a 3-0 win in their last encounter on March 25, 2007.

Grenada Football Association Cheney Joseph (far left) and members of the Grenada under-17 women’s national team present a framed jersey to Prince Henry of Wales (center, back) during his visit to the island on November 28, 2016. (Photo courtesy of the Grenada Football Association and Kensington Palace)

SAINT GEORGE’S, Grenada – For the Grenada under-17 women’s national team, a memorable 2016 was capped last week by Prince Harry of Wales’ visit to the Spice Island.

As well as playing as host of the CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship in March, most of the squad’s members competed at the CONCACAF Under-15 Girls’ Championship in Orlando, Florida, during the summer.

The opportunity to meet royalty, however, elicited equally high levels of excitement.

“Football can take you anywhere,” enthused team captain Aaliyah Jackson, after meeting the Prince.

The stop was part of a 15-day Caribbean tour, which concluded Sunday in Guyana.

Grenada Football Association President Cheney Joseph presented Prince Harry with a framed Grenada national team shirt at the Queen’s Park playing field, where a sporting and cultural event featuring football, cricket and netball was organized.

Said Joseph: “Though a short visit and somewhat brief time together, we will always remember his words to the girls encouraging them to balance education with sports and life will be better as you grow older.”

GFA technical director Trevor McIntosh was delighted that the U17 team had an active part to play in the unique opportunity.

“I hope this is one experience that motivates them to keep playing football,” he remarked, adding that Prince Harry said he would “hang the gift on his wall.”

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/prince-harrys-visit-proves-a-royal-occasion-for-grenada-football/feed0Field Set and Official Draw Confirmed for CONCACAF Under-17 Championship Panama 2017http://www.concacaf.com/article/field-set-and-official-draw-confirmed-for-concacaf-under-17-championship-panama-2017
http://www.concacaf.com/article/field-set-and-official-draw-confirmed-for-concacaf-under-17-championship-panama-2017#commentsTue, 06 Dec 2016 23:58:52 +0000/?post_type=article&p=119952Draw to Take Place Tuesday, December 13 at the Sheraton Grand Panama]]>

Draw to Take Place Tuesday, December 13 at the Sheraton Grand Panama

Miami (Tuesday, December 6, 2016) – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) confirmed today the programming for the official draw for the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship Panama 2017. The event will take place on Tuesday, December 13, at 7:00 local time (7:00 pm ET).

The official draw, which will set the groups for the Championship, to begin in Panama City in April of next year, will be conducted in the presence of FIFA Council Member and Panamanian Football Federation President, Pedro Chaluja and CONCACAF Council Member, Jorge Rajo.

The draw will be held at the Sheraton Grand Panama in Panama City, sorting the twelve qualified nations set to participate in the championship into three groups of four teams each.

The tournament will benefit from a redesigned format, structured to increase the number of meaningful, competitive matches played by each team. The top two teams from each of the three groups in the first stage will advance to the Classification Stage, where the Confederation’s four tickets to the World Cup at this level will be determined in round-robin play among two groups of three teams each.

As host, Panama will be seeded at the top of one of the three groups. Mexico, as the current champion and Costa Rica, as the best-placed CONCACAF team from the last edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, excluding the regional champion and the host, will also be seeded into one of the three group.

The remaining nine qualified teams – Canada, Cuba, Curacao, El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Suriname and United States – will be drawn from pots 2-4, and placed in one of the groups. The positions of each group winner and runner-up from the group stage will be drawn randomly in group pairs into two groups (D and E) for the Classification Stage.

The CONCACAF Under-17 Championship Panama 2017 is scheduled to be played April 21 – May 7, 2017, at the Maracana and Rommel Fernandez Stadiums in Panama City, Panama. The tournament will qualify four teams directly to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup India 2017.

]]>http://www.concacaf.com/article/field-set-and-official-draw-confirmed-for-concacaf-under-17-championship-panama-2017/feed0Panama names Copa Centroamericana camp rosterhttp://www.concacaf.com/article/panama-names-copa-centroamericana-camp-roster
http://www.concacaf.com/article/panama-names-copa-centroamericana-camp-roster#commentsTue, 06 Dec 2016 23:31:55 +0000/?post_type=article&p=119965Panama head coach Hernan Darío Gomez announced Monday a list of 34 players for a camp in advance of the next year’s Copa Centroamericana, which it will host January 13-22, 2017.]]>

Midfielder Armando Cooper (pictured) was one of 34 players called up to Panama for a late-December training camp. (Photo: Adid Jimenez/Straffon Images)

PANAMA CITY, Panama – Panama head coach Hernan Darío Gomez announced Monday a list of 34 players for a camp in advance of the next year’s Copa Centroamericana, which it will host January 13-22, 2017.

The squad will report to Estadio Rommel Fernandez on December 26 for five days of training.

A trio from recently-crowned Panamanian Apertura champion Arabe Unido highlight the selection. Forwards Abdiel Macea and Enrico Small — each of whom scored a goal in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Plaza Amador in the final — received call-ups, as did midfielder Jose Gonzalez, the 2016/17 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League’s joint-top scorer with five goals.

Midfielder Armando Cooper, a former Arabe Unido star, was also extended an invitation. The 29-year-old could start for Toronto FC in Saturday’s MLS Cup final against the visiting Seattle Sounders.

The Copa Centroamericana is the championship for the region’s national teams and also serves as a CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifying competition. In its previous appearance in 2014, Panama finished third, last lifting the trophy once in 2009.